More of the first year stuff!

For almost an entire year my ex and I were separated (not legally just physically) but he would not file for divorce. At first I took it as a sign that he might come back. Although he hated my very existence when he first moved out, by month 4 of our separation he was calling and seemed very introspective. At one point, he went to Atlantis in the Bahamas and called suggesting that I come meet him (he rescinded the offer the next day). This gave me hope--and a little hope goes a long way during the first year. This hate me/love me routine went on through the summer and included several "dates," one sleepover, a family trip to Florida and even a suggestion by him that I decorate his new condo! I was so confused. I did not know how to interpret these "signs" So, I ascribed the most love to them that I could. WRONG MOVE.
What was happening was that he was using me (duh!). When the blonde would not act the way he wanted he would take me off the bench and let me pitch for awhile. Eventually, he'd put the blonde back in and bench me. This kept happening until one night he had the boys and the air conditioning at his condo went out. He called and ask if they could come sleep at the house. Of course I would not make my sons sleep in the hot condo so I said "sure." Well.....that night we wound up in the same bed and I thought we were getting back together. Our sons even came in bed with us in the morning. I was in 7th heaven. "Yeah," I thought "I get my family back." Not so fast! By 10 a.m. he was crawfishing (a Louisiana term which means to back out--crawfish walk backwards). "Well, Danielle, I'm not ready to commit to anything-- yadda, yadda, yadda." Not ready to commit to anything? Did he not already marry me, have 2 kids with me and have approximately 8 months to "date" other women while I stood by like a fool? That was almost enough to send me over the edge but not quite. What was the proverbial straw happened about one month later when he suggested that "we" decorate his brand new condo together. "It would be something fun we could do together" he suggested. "Fun?" What part of decorating my husband's bachelor pad in the French Quarter would be fun for me? Yeah, I agreed with you and told him, on no uncertain terms, "hell no!" He said I was too serious and I told him it was time to fish or cut bait ( I was scared of the answer but I could only take so much and I had reached my saturation point) Cut bait he did. Within a week of 9/11, I was finally served with my divorce papers.